Last time I ran into Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, he quizzed me. He asked if I knew the starting left tackles for the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants. I shrugged. He wanted to make the point that a left tackle doesn't have to be an all-pro or even well known for a team to be successful.

Here's the flaw in his thinking: The quarterbacks for the Packers and Giants are either all-pro (Aaron Rodgers) or all-pro caliber (Eli Manning). Teams with elite quarterbacks don't need an all-pro at left tackle. Teams with an inexperienced quarterback, like the Vikings, have a much better chance of success when surrounded by all-pro level players, particularly at left tackle.

The discussion came about because Spielman didn't seem to agree with a column I wrote saying he might be in need of a CAT scan if he passes up Southern California left tackle Matt Kalil with the third overall pick in the NFL draft.

It could just be a smokescreen that Spielman isn't gushing about the prospect of drafting a potential all-pro who could be a fixture at left tackle for the next decade. Then again, why a smokescreen is needed when the first two picks already are decided is baffling.

After listening to the Spielman spiel, this much appears certain: If he keeps the third pick and passes on Kalil, Spielman will draft LSU cornerback Mo Claiborne. He raved more about Claiborne than Kalil.

With each passing day, the argument builds that Spielman prefers Claiborne

over Kalil. For one thing, the Vikings haven't pursued a cornerback in free agency. For another, they have expressed interest in offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, who is nothing special and missed all of last season after hip surgery. Presumably, he fits the type of lineman Spielman thinks you can win with in the NFL.

Spielman does have a point, there are teams who do not have elite QB's and do not have an all pro LT (San Fran has Staley, Buffalo had Bell, Detroit has Backus etc) however the Vikes QB's were sacked 49 times last year and only 4 teams surrendered more sacks. If they pass on Kalil, then he must get a LT at some point, one who could start from day 1 you would think....

If Claiborne does go number 3 this could shake up the top 10 a little or perhaps give Cleveland an opportunity to move down a few spots at the least as one has to think St.Louis may have some interest in moving back up...

Personally I think they should solidify the position and draft the guy who appears to be a franchise LT first and foremost (Kalil). Put the pieces around Ponder to give him his best chance for success.

IMO, this is a smokescreen in an attempt to get someone to trade up for Claiborne. I don't think it is worth the risk dropping back at all, as you said its possible Cleveland then trades back with a team like St. Louis looking to draft Kalil. Minnesota needs a new LT, and Kalil appears to have everything needed to be a starter from day 1, and a good one at that.

This has to be smokescreen to try and inflate the value of the #3 pick. The Vikings are a team with a lot of holes. Teams like the Bucs/Rams could also use a DB and trying to get them into a bidding war and attempt to get an extra draft pick.

This has to be smokescreen to try and inflate the value of the #3 pick. The Vikings are a team with a lot of holes. Teams like the Bucs/Rams could also use a DB and trying to get them into a bidding war and attempt to get an extra draft pick.

I'd think the Rams would be more than pleased if Minnesota took Claiborne. They could use him yes, but they also could use Justin Blackmon and Matt Kalil. I don't think they will get the Rams to bite on the idea moving up for Claiborne.

No, I actually agree with this. Sure, maybe it is a smokescreen, but I remember making the point a few months ago that the left tackle position had become massively overvalued and that sinking $40M guaranteed into that one position was a waste. DCs move pass rushers around to find the best matchup, you can't have a blue chip LT and a crap line everywhere else.

The last 10 SB winners:

Giants
Packers
Saints
Steelers
Giants
Colts
Steelers
Pats
Pats
Bucs

Of those teams the most notable LT is Matt Light. The last team to win the SB with an All-Pro level LT is the Ravens. But even then, that team won with defense and running the ball.

I'm not saying I'd take Claiborne over Kalil, all else being equal. I'm not sure I would. But if I thought CB was the bigger need I would definitely consider it. I think the importance of LT has been a mantra we've parroted back and forth at each other for so long we've forgotten to really assess how true it is.

No, I actually agree with this. Sure, maybe it is a smokescreen, but I remember making the point a few months ago that the left tackle position had become massively overvalued and that sinking $40M guaranteed into that one position was a waste. DCs move pass rushers around to find the best matchup, you can't have a blue chip LT and a crap line everywhere else.

The last 10 SB winners:

Giants
Packers
Saints
Steelers
Giants
Colts
Steelers
Pats
Pats
Bucs

Of those teams the most notable LT is Matt Light. The last team to win the SB with an All-Pro level LT is the Ravens. But even then, that team won with defense and running the ball.

I'm not saying I'd take Claiborne over Kalil, all else being equal. I'm not sure I would. But if I thought CB was the bigger need I would definitely consider it. I think the importance of LT has been a mantra we've parroted back and forth at each other for so long we've forgotten to really assess how true it is.

All of those teams LT's were playing better than Charlie Johnson did last year. It's not going to cost them $40m guaranteed for Kalil either. I accept that CB is a huge need, and that all those teams won the SB w/o a top 5 LT... but Claiborne does not appear to be Deion Sanders or Darrelle Revis. I think Kalil is BPA at a position of value and equal need.

All of those teams LT's were playing better than Charlie Johnson did last year. It's not going to cost them $40m guaranteed for Kalil either. I accept that CB is a huge need, and that all those teams won the SB w/o a top 5 LT... but Claiborne does not appear to be Deion Sanders or Darrelle Revis. I think Kalil is BPA at a position of value and equal need.

The Charlie Johnson contract was pretty awful. I still can't believe the Vikings paid him so much. He's a swing tackle.

The Charlie Johnson contract was pretty awful. I still can't believe the Vikings paid him so much. He's a swing tackle.

At least he should (if they are smart and draft Kalil) get kicked inside and won't be AS BIG of a liability. I didn't like the signing when they made it, should have just been a one year deal. They were relying on Mckinnie to play last year, but he showed up at camp weighing 380 or so and they cut him with no one else capable of playing LT, panicked and overpaid Johnson.

Originally Posted by JoeJoeBrown
The most important thing, however, is how strong their swagger factors are.
Newton
South of the Mason Dixon +10 swagger
Barely literate +5 swagger
Thief +15 swagger
Kicked off of a team of thugs +20 swagger
Big, average speed -3 swagger
Hasn't done jacksquat on the field +15 swagger
Total Swagger: 62ATL College Park Zone 3* +20 swagger Bonus pts

I've been saying this for a while. The Vikings are in dire straits in their secondary and may need three if not four new starters. I still think there is a strong chance that Minnesota trades down, but if they stay at #3 Kalil is the favorite but Claiborne is very much in the conversation.